Product Description

Growing a third hand can be difficult. Instead, let Baratza free the two you currently have with their Forte-Vario portaholder. This sturdy portaholder is designed for the Vario and Forte-AP flat burr grinder and adjusts to fit any portafilter.

There is a video on YouTube called "Vario Series, Metal PortaHolder Retrofit" showing how to change some parts on the Vario to make it fit the Forte metal holder. Are these parts included in this purchase, or must they be purchased separately?

Best Answer:I bought this upgrade for my Baratza Vario grinder - it is just the Portaholder, no extra parts (that is an extra kit at an extra expense). In my opinion, changing the parts is not necessary. I was able to get it in the space WITHOUT changing any parts. It is a tight fit but works, I think one other person said it "was not for the faint of heart" - I did not find it that difficult or scary. As long as you have it lined up exactly (do not try to put it in at an angle) it goes in hard but easy. I don't take mine out to clean it but I could easily do so. You really don't need to get the extra parts. At $35 the Seattle Coffee Gear price is the best I found - I looked everywhere. Even with the shipping, it was the best deal last summer when I was checking. The new Portaholder looks so much nicer - now it actually LOOKS like a $300 grinder - where as before the plastic holder made it look very cheap and didn't hold the portafilter properly. This insert is so sturdy and nice - I love it. No regrets. Someone should do a youtube video of putting the portaholder in place WITHOUT changing the parts.

No, this isn't the same as the kit that Baratza has on their site. This is simply the portaholder, so it does not come with the black plastic rear or the metal belt casing. Baratza's kit allows for a bit more of a streamlined fit with the portaholder, but if you choose not to get the kit, I believe that it will still fit. You may want to contact Baratza to be sure if you're trying to retrofit the portaholder to an older Vario.

I don't know if perhaps the Vario has changed over time, but I replaced the stock "porta holder" on my Vario with this one, and no extra parts were needed at all. Just pull out the the existing Vario porta holder and slide the new metal Forte one in. It's a tight fit, but gets easier over time. I remove it every so often for cleaning or grinder adjustments. It's really nice and a great upgrade - I'd highly recommend it!

I see that and they must have really pushed it in place to allow for it to fit! I tried again here in the showroom and I would still not recommend the Forte Portaholder for the Vario, as the pieces really scrape against each other and the fit is very tight. This also makes it very difficult to remove the portafilter after you are done grinding.

Is this the "Vario Metal PortaHolder Kit" like the one on Baratza's website? Here is the description "The kit to upgrade the Vario (885) for the Metal PortaHolder. The kit includes the Black Plastic Rear, the Metal Belt casing, and the Metal PortaHolder."

Best Answer:No, this isn't the same as the kit that Baratza has on their site. This is simply the portaholder, so it does not come with the black plastic rear or the metal belt casing. This portaholder will simply slide into the same space as your previous closed container or plastic portaholder would, so unless you needed those other parts, you may not need the kit.

Resources

User Manuals for your Baratza Grinder

Reviews

Works with Vario GrinderReview by Birdy

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I bought this to put in my Baratza Vario grinder Model 885 purchased new in 2013. It worked - no retro kit required. Tight but goes in. Just make sure you have it lined up straight, do not try to put it in at an angle. It is tight but it does work. (Posted on 1/29/2015)

Awesome upgrade for the Vario, but there are some things you should know.Review by Kevin R

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The metal portaholder is a really nice upgrade for the Vario, instantly dressing up the overall look and quality of the grinder. The functionality is also a great improvement over the stock plastic one, as the design funnels the grinds directly into the portafilter all while freeing up the use of your hands.

There are a couple things I want to point out that were issues for me, but were quickly cleared up after a couple emails to Baratza.
-The forks that hold the portafilter in place were too long, and I was unable to get the portafilter to rest directly below the funnel. Baratza sent me the correct shorter forks, and I got them in just a couple of days.
-The fit is really tight, and the stock case bulges out the slightest bit because of the spring loaded bearings at the bottom of the portaholder. I went ahead and dremeled two small indentations in my stock case to accommodate the bearings, and now my fit is perfect. This step is not required.
-Baratza does offer a full retrofit kit, including a new case that comes with the modifications I made. You can view it here https://www.baratza.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6405

(Posted on 1/13/2015)

Pimp my VarioReview by Dennis

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This metal portaholder is a nice upgrade to the Vario. I had already abandoned using the stock portaholder because of crazy flying grounds with some roasts. Instead I made a little dosing funnel from a Tupperware cup which worked great. But I liked the idea and looks of the Forte component. And I missed the convenience of hanging my portafilter at the grinder while doing something else. This thing is a weighty piece of cast metal that matches well the finish of the metal elements on the Vario. It has a firm metal wire for bracket padded in soft plastic that is adjustable in height to hold a portafilter snug to the integrated funnel chute. It fits my 58mm Breville Dual Boiler p.f. very well. I get a slight bit of stray grounds in contrast to zero with my homemade dosing aid, but this kit is much preferable and way less ghetto, as my son termed it.
One thing to note: it is a tight fit installing. At first I was afraid it would not work, that my chamber was too small to accommodate it. But, persevere. It is exactly the right size and designed to look like it belonged there from the beginning. Nice going, Baratza. Seattle Coffee Gear had the lowest price around, and actually seemed to be the only place where it was available except through Baratza at the time I looked. Thanks! (Posted on 1/11/2014)